This extraordinary sutra teaches the goal of Tantrik Yoga—and of every nondual path—here called jīvanmukti or 'embodied liberation', and offers a beautiful definition of that goal: "jīvanmukti is defined as the natural freedom that arises for one who has recognized her own essence-nature when the entire mass of bondage melts away yet she continues to care for the prāṇas of the body."

Awareness, like a fire, ‘devours’ all things; that is to say, it is that inner space in which all experienced things converge, and in which all experiences are dissolved and ultimately resolved. Since all beings exhibit that capacity at least partially, we know that all beings are forms of that same divine Consciousness which has the capacity to 'devour' all things.

Many who believe that Tantra is mainly about sex found justification for their belief in the publication of a book called Kiss of the Yogini: "Tantric Sex" in its South Asian Contexts. This short post, drawn from my PhD dissertation, seeks to show how deeply problematic that book is, and offers a three-point definition of what distinguishes Tantra from other forms of Asian spirituality.

How can wanting to grow and become a better person be a problem on the spiritual path? This post discusses the disguised self-hatred implicit in the self-improvement project, and provides you with food for thought that could be a game-changer for you.

Perhaps the most insidious of all the 'near enemies', this post explains why 'You create your own reality' can be such a damaging concept ~ and shares the liberating truth that lies beneath it, according to nondual Tantrik philosophy.

Is there such a thing as negative energy? If so, what is it and how to we deal with it? If not, why does it seem like there is? ~ This post contains crucial Tantrik teachings on the nitty-gritty of the spiritual life.

Kicking off the Near Enemies to the Truth series, this post explains why 'everything happens for a reason' is a near enemy, what the deeper teaching behind it is, and why it matters. Bonus: explanation of the role of facts, truth, and inquiry in the spiritual life.

This extraordinary sutra teaches the goal of Tantrik Yoga—and of every nondual path—here called jīvanmukti or 'embodied liberation', and offers a beautiful definition of that goal: "jīvanmukti is defined as the natural freedom that arises for one who has recognized her own essence-nature when the entire mass of bondage melts away yet she continues to care for the prāṇas of the body."

Awareness, like a fire, ‘devours’ all things; that is to say, it is that inner space in which all experienced things converge, and in which all experiences are dissolved and ultimately resolved. Since all beings exhibit that capacity at least partially, we know that all beings are forms of that same divine Consciousness which has the capacity to 'devour' all things.

Chapter Thirteen of the Recognition Sutras is the pivot point of the text; what came before describes the process by which transindividual Awareness (aka Divine Consciousness) contracts into the form of a deluded and suffering human being, while what comes after describes the process by which such a being realizes his or her nature as that unbounded Consciousness.

This second reading of Sūtra Eight explores how the nature of awareness can be realized by careful reflection on the process of cognition—specifically, how thoughts, feelings, and perceptions arise and dissolve within awareness. Such profound self-reflection leads one beyond philosophy to a direct contemplation of the nature of fundamental Awareness itself. This contemplative process, if properly directed, results in awakening to your true nature.

Chapter Twelve of The Recognition Sutras reveals how the state of bondage that most people live in is nothing other than the state of being deluded by and about the powers and potencies of one's very own consciousness. Learn how this delusion manifests as inhibition, and how the key to freedom lies in unraveling the misunderstandings you have about yourself.